Hundreds of flights cancelled and delayed due to an acute pilot shortage, leaving thousands of passengers stranded for hours and sparking outrage over poor customer service.
December 4, 2025: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is facing a major operational crisis that has led to the cancellation of over 200 flights since Tuesday and caused massive disruptions nationwide, leaving thousands of passengers stranded for up to 14 hours.
The chaos is primarily attributed to a crippling crew shortage exacerbated by the recent, stricter implementation of government-mandated Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules designed to combat pilot fatigue.
FDTL Rules Wreak Havoc on Rosters
The aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), enforced the second phase of revised FDTL norms from November 1. These rules mandate increased weekly rest periods (up to 48 hours) and significantly restrict the number of night landings allowed per crew, creating an immediate and massive demand for additional pilots.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) placed the blame squarely on the airline’s prolonged “lean manpower strategy,” stating, “The current disruption is the direct consequence of IndiGo’s prolonged and unorthodox lean manpower strategy…Despite the two-year preparatory window before full FDTL implementation, IndiGo inexplicably adopted a hiring freeze.”
IndiGo’s network, which operates around 2,300 flights daily and relies on high aircraft and crew utilization, was severely impacted. On Tuesday, the airline’s on-time performance (OTP) plummeted to a staggering 35%, its lowest figure this year, compared to its usual 80%+.
Passenger Outcry and DGCA Action
Across major airports like Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, passengers reported scenes of “absolute chaos” and “mockery.” Social media was flooded with posts from stranded flyers, complaining of inadequate customer service and being left waiting for hours with no confirmed flight status.
One passenger at Pune Airport wrote, “Shame on @IndiGo6E no passenger intimation at boarding gate, no staff… and worst is on display board says flight scheduled on time,” while another shared a video after being stranded for 14 hours.
IndiGo acknowledged the disruption and issued a formal apology, citing a “multitude of unforeseen operational challenges” including minor technology glitches, adverse weather, congestion, and the implementation of the updated crew rostering rules, all of which “had a negative compounding impact.”
Taking serious cognizance of the widespread distress, the aviation watchdog DGCA has launched a probe into the disruptions and has summoned IndiGo officials for a meeting to demand a detailed report and a concrete mitigation plan to normalize operations. The airline has stated that it has initiated “calibrated adjustments” to its schedules for the next 48 hours to restore stability.